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Jarratt Clarke

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

  • What do Ms. Clarke's students say about her?

    "She has got a whole book full of funny jokes and a heart full of passion for teaching students English. She also sends out the funniest emails with inside jokes that have a thoughtful meaning."

    "Ms. Clarke integrates learning and fun; her classes are always enjoyable because at heart she too is just a kid."

    "Clarkie is the best teacher ever! She always finds a way to get our class interested in the topic at hand, and we have the most in-depth conversations about literature and life. She is also a great role model; she isn't afraid to be smart and let her nerdy side show."
  • What college(s) did you attend?

    I attended Dartmouth College as an undergrad and later got my MA at Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English.
  • What are your roles here on campus?

    I am the Academic Dean at Millbrook. I also teach English V Honors and English III, work in Abbott Dorm, and coach varsity field hockey and varsity softball.
  • What is your favorite part of your job?

    It’s pretty hard for me to narrow it down. I find it pretty amazing that someone wants to pay me to do my favorite things—talk about books, use fun vocabulary words, and make bad jokes. I also really love getting to know the students, whether it’s in the dorm, on the field, or in the classroom. I didn’t attend boarding school when I was a youngster, and I definitely never knew my teachers as well as the students know their teachers here. It’s clear to me now that I missed out!
  • What makes Millbrook, Millbrook for you?

    It is impossible to answer this question without sounding ludicrously cheesy, so bear with me—Millbrook is Millbrook because of its people. I am such a lucky duck to get to spend all day every day with such hilarious, inspiring, intelligent, and flat-out awesome students and colleagues.
  • What is your favorite lesson to teach?

    There is little that makes me happier than discussing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby with my English V Honors class. The language is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and I think I appreciate it more every time I read it. It’s practically an old friend at this point.
  • What is your favorite book?

    This is an absolutely unfair question—who can choose just one?! As I said before, I just adore The Great Gatsby. I also love The Odyssey, E.L. Doctorow’s Ragtime, Michael Chabon’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest, Neal Stephenson’s Cryptonomicon, Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude. I could keep going…
  • What is your favorite thing to do with your free time at Millbrook?

    I love hanging out with my faculty buddies as much as I possibly can. They are a truly excellent combination of funny and nerdy. Speaking of nerdy, I also really love walking my dog through all of the beautiful trails on campus while listening to NPR podcasts. And, of course, I love reading.
  • What is your most embarrassing moment on campus?

    This is also a tough question to answer, as I am pretty consistently doing embarrassing things. (See all of my above answers for confirmation). Luckily I am almost immune to embarrassment now! However, any sort of public speaking still mortifies me, even though I have to do it all the time.
  • What would your students be most surprised to find out about you?

    I am an avid, avid sports fan. I could watch just about any athletic event (other than NASCAR) and be happy.
    • Millbrook is Millbrook because of its people. I am such a lucky duck to get to spend all day every day with such hilarious, inspiring, intelligent, and flat-out awesome students and colleagues.